Nonverbal Learning DisorderNonverbal Learning Disorder

What is Nonverbal Learning What is Nonverbal Learning disorder?disorder?

A A nonverbal learning disordernonverbal learning disorder or or nonvernonverbal learning disabilitybal learning disability ( (NLDNLD or or NVLDNVLD) ) is is a condition typified by a a condition typified by a verbal IQ scoresverbal IQ scores that are that are considerably considerably higher than their perfhigher than their performance scoresormance scores on an IQ test. on an IQ test.

To assess NLD a battery of tests To assess NLD a battery of tests are used that cover abilities such asare used that cover abilities such as::

intelligenceintelligence motor and psychomotor motor and psychomotor tactiletactile--perceptualperceptual visual-spatial-organizational visual-spatial-organizational auditoryauditory--perceptualperceptual auditory and visual attention/memory auditory and visual attention/memory problem solvingproblem solving language language academic achievementacademic achievement personality/adaptive behavior personality/adaptive behavior

The term Nonverbal Learning The term Nonverbal Learning DisorderDisorder//Disability is actually Disability is actually rather misleadingrather misleading.  .  Individuals Individuals with this disability are with this disability are highlyhighly verbalverbal, with their areas of deficit , with their areas of deficit being in the being in the nonverbalnonverbal domains domains. .

Some Some believe that this believe that this disorder is due todisorder is due to dy dysfunction in the right sfunction in the right cerebral hemisphere.cerebral hemisphere.

Some people think that NLD is Some people think that NLD is Asperger'sAsperger's syndrome syndrome in a less in a less

severe form.severe form.

Some even say that whether it is AS Some even say that whether it is AS or NLD depends on who diagnoses or NLD depends on who diagnoses

the disorder. If a psychiatrist the disorder. If a psychiatrist diagnoses the disorder then it is AS; diagnoses the disorder then it is AS;

if a neuropsychologist/clinicalif a neuropsychologist/clinical psychologist diagnoses the disorder psychologist diagnoses the disorder

then it is NLD.then it is NLD.

There are indeed some distinct There are indeed some distinct differences between AS and NLD. differences between AS and NLD.

NLD individuals have normal emotions but NLD individuals have normal emotions but have a hard time expressing or have a hard time expressing or recognizing them in others. AS individuals recognizing them in others. AS individuals on the other hand do not feel the same on the other hand do not feel the same range of emotions. They have a hard time range of emotions. They have a hard time initiating or experiencing normal social initiating or experiencing normal social relationship.relationship.

In fact, many AS people respond well to In fact, many AS people respond well to visuals and diagrams, and are visual visuals and diagrams, and are visual learnerslearners. . But, NLD people can't learn by But, NLD people can't learn by watching, and need everything explained watching, and need everything explained in wordsin words. .

LLike ike ASAS, , NLDNLD exists on a spectr exists on a spectrumum.. This means This means those affected cthose affected can experience it in a range of waan experience it in a range of ways. Those with an NLD diagnosiys. Those with an NLD diagnosis can experience some or all of ts can experience some or all of the symptoms, and to varying dehe symptoms, and to varying de

grees. grees.

What are the signs of NLD?What are the signs of NLD?

AAssets:ssets:

Great vocabulary and verbal expression Great vocabulary and verbal expression Excellent memory skillsExcellent memory skills

Strong auditory retentionStrong auditory retention

Now for the DeficitsNow for the Deficits::

Poor abstract reasoning Poor abstract reasoning Attention to detail, but misses the big pictuAttention to detail, but misses the big pictu

rere

Poor social skills; difficulty making and keePoor social skills; difficulty making and keeping friendsping friends

Trouble with nonverbal communication, Trouble with nonverbal communication, like body language, facial expression and like body language, facial expression and tone of voice tone of voice

Messy and laborious handwritingMessy and laborious handwritingPoor visual recall, faulty spatial Poor visual recall, faulty spatial

perceptions, andperceptions, and//or difficulties with or difficulties with spatial relationsspatial relations

Concrete thinking; taking things very literallyConcrete thinking; taking things very literallyTrouble Trouble understandingunderstanding reading reading Difficulty with math, especially word probleDifficulty with math, especially word proble

msms

Fear of new situations Fear of new situations Trouble adjusting to changesTrouble adjusting to changesPhysically awkward; poor coordinationPhysically awkward; poor coordination

Anxiety, depression,Anxiety, depression, low self-esteemlow self-esteem

May be very naïve and lack common May be very naïve and lack common sensesense

May withdraw, becoming May withdraw, becoming agoraphobicagoraphobic ((abnormal fear of open spacesabnormal fear of open spaces) )

How to include a NLD student into How to include a NLD student into your classroomyour classroom

The student with NLD has some issues The student with NLD has some issues that need to be addressed and that need to be addressed and accommodated. According to Thompson accommodated. According to Thompson (1998), these things are:(1998), these things are:

NLD student has difficulty NLD student has difficulty finding his/her way aroundfinding his/her way around..

Providing a "verbal-rope" to guide the Providing a "verbal-rope" to guide the student from place to place;student from place to place;

Rehearsing getting from place to place, Rehearsing getting from place to place, with significant markers pointed out with significant markers pointed out verbally.verbally.

NLD student has difficulty coping NLD student has difficulty coping with changes in routine and with changes in routine and transitions.transitions.

Providing a predictable and safe Providing a predictable and safe environment with a consistent daily environment with a consistent daily routine;routine;

Minimizing transitions and giving several Minimizing transitions and giving several verbal cues to the student before verbal cues to the student before transitions;transitions;

NLD student has difficulty NLD student has difficulty generalizing previously learned generalizing previously learned information.information.

Using language as the bridge to tie new Using language as the bridge to tie new situations to old learning;situations to old learning;

Reviewing past information before Reviewing past information before presenting new concepts;presenting new concepts;

NLD student has difficulty NLD student has difficulty following multi-step instructions.following multi-step instructions.

Writing out multi-step instructions;Writing out multi-step instructions;Making sure the student understands your Making sure the student understands your

instructions- don't assume that repeating instructions- don't assume that repeating them back to you means that he will them back to you means that he will remember and can follow through;remember and can follow through;

NLD student makes very literal NLD student makes very literal translations.translations.

Explaining what you mean by the things Explaining what you mean by the things you say which may be misinterpreted;you say which may be misinterpreted;

Simplifying and breaking-down abstract Simplifying and breaking-down abstract concepts;concepts;

NLD student asks too many NLD student asks too many questions.questions.

Answering the student's questions whenever it is Answering the student's questions whenever it is possible and practical possible and practical

Specifically teaching the student when it is Specifically teaching the student when it is appropriate to ask for help (i.e. if he will be appropriate to ask for help (i.e. if he will be unable to continue his assignment unless unable to continue his assignment unless something he doesn't understand is explained to something he doesn't understand is explained to him) and the appropriate methods of doing so;him) and the appropriate methods of doing so;

Explicitly teaching the rules of polite social Explicitly teaching the rules of polite social conduct, so that the child does not constantly conduct, so that the child does not constantly interrupt class activities with his questions. interrupt class activities with his questions.

NLD student is easily NLD student is easily overwhelmed.overwhelmed.

Having a consistent strategy to employ Having a consistent strategy to employ when the child can no longer cope due to when the child can no longer cope due to over stimulation, frustration or confusion;over stimulation, frustration or confusion;

Allowing the child to abstain from Allowing the child to abstain from participating in activities when she participating in activities when she demonstrates any signs of overload;demonstrates any signs of overload;

NLD student may experience NLD student may experience heightened sensory experiences.heightened sensory experiences.

Preparing the environment for the child Preparing the environment for the child (eliminating known sensory stressors);(eliminating known sensory stressors);

Ensuring that this child is placed in a Ensuring that this child is placed in a classroom location with the least amount classroom location with the least amount of distraction (usually up at the front of the of distraction (usually up at the front of the room, away from visual and auditory room, away from visual and auditory sources of "clutter"). sources of "clutter").

NLD student may develop NLD student may develop secondary issues with stress and secondary issues with stress and anxiety.anxiety.

Previewing and preparing for all novel Previewing and preparing for all novel situations and transitions in advance;situations and transitions in advance;

Providing a consistent and predictable Providing a consistent and predictable daily routine;daily routine;

NLD student imparts the "illusion NLD student imparts the "illusion of competency".of competency".

Never assuming this child understands Never assuming this child understands what he has read, just because he is a what he has read, just because he is a "proficient" reader (has excellent word "proficient" reader (has excellent word recognition);recognition);

Offering added verbal explanations when Offering added verbal explanations when the child seems "lost" or registers obvious the child seems "lost" or registers obvious confusion.confusion.

To get more information on how to To get more information on how to include a NLD child into you classinclude a NLD child into you classplease go to:please go to:

http://www.ldonline.org/article/Developing_http://www.ldonline.org/article/Developing_an_Educational_Plan_for_the_Student_witan_Educational_Plan_for_the_Student_with_NLDh_NLD

Developing an Educational Plan for the Developing an Educational Plan for the Student with NLDStudent with NLD

ByBy: : Sue Thompson, MSue Thompson, M..AA.., C, C..EE. (. (19981998))

References/Useful LinksReferences/Useful Links Mainstreaming special needs studentsMainstreaming special needs students: : Understanding the debate Understanding the debate - -

by Susie Ross by Susie Ross - - HeliumHelium httphttp://://wwwwww..smartkidswithldsmartkidswithld..orgorg//ldld--basicsbasics//treatmentstreatments--andand--supportsupport//

14-ways14-ways--toto--helphelp--aa--childchild--withwith--nldnld--succeedsucceed http://http://www.nldontheweb.orgwww.nldontheweb.org// http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/nld.htmhttp://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/nld.htm http://www.nldline.com/ *http://www.nldline.com/ * http://www.learningdisabilitiesinfo.com/nonverbal.htmlhttp://www.learningdisabilitiesinfo.com/nonverbal.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_learning_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_learning_disorder http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/LD-ADHD/907-http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/LD-ADHD/907-

nonverbal-learning-disabilities.gsnonverbal-learning-disabilities.gs http://www.ldinfo.com/nld.htmhttp://www.ldinfo.com/nld.htm http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/nonverbal *http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/nonverbal * http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_nvld.htmlhttp://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_nvld.html httphttp://://enen..wikipediawikipedia..orgorg//wikiwiki//Nonverbal_learning_disorderNonverbal_learning_disorder